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Franklin P. Nelson

Springfield Park District gets

$450,000 GIFT

New recreation complex to be constructed

The receipt of a gift to the Springfield Park District in the sum of approximately $450,000 was recently announced by Robert A. Stuart, President of the District. The gift, in the form of 6,800 shares of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. stock, has been given to the park district by Franklin P. Nelson, formerly of Petersburg and now a resident of Springfield. In accordance with the donor's direction, the proceeds will be used by the park district for the purpose of commencing the first phase of a 1.5 million dollar recreation center which will be located in Lincoln Park on the north side of the city.

In making the gift, Mr. Nelson stated, "Providing a facility which will serve the youth of not only the Springfield community, but the entire Central Illinois area has been a life-long dream, and I am extremely pleased that the Board of Trustees of the Springfield Park District has accepted my offer and that I will have an opportunity to see work upon this outstanding facility undertaken within the very near future. Only the very successful management of Anheuser-Busch has made it possible for me to make this gift to the Springfield Park District and the youth of our community."

In accepting the gift on behalf of the park district, Stuart noted that it was one of the most generous gifts ever made to the Springfield community by an individual and one which would be used by many thousands of young people for many years to come.

The proposed recreation center complex will consist of three outdoor swimming pools, an artificial ice skating rink and all-facility building, together with a recreation center meeting area. The Board has already approved the architect's design and working drawings and specifications are being prepared with public bidding for the project scheduled for June or July. It is contemplated that ground will be broken for the swimming pools and mechanical buildings in August or September with completion for public use scheduled in June, 1973. Completion of Phase II, involving the skating arena, will depend upon the availability of additional funds for that purpose at a future date.


Architects drawing by J. E. Barclay Jr. and Associates, Oak Park, Illinois

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 May/June, 1972


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